Egg yolk peritonitis?

[hollilynn]

I have a hen that has been listless x2 days, separates self from flock and wants to just lie down. She has poo that looks like cooked egg, with some solid green. No eggs laid since start of symptoms. She is drinking and eating, but sleeping most of the time. I started her on Duramycin 10 yesterday and she has been drinking the water with the antibiotics just fine. Is there a chance this could help her and how long before she will show improvement? Her comb and wattles still are nice and red.
Do not want to lose her

 

[missypebble]

EYP is evil, and I'm sorry to hear your hen is going through it. There are so many articles on this site about EYP that I'm sure you'll find PLENTY to read and to learn from. Can you get your hen to the vet to check thing out? (Not sure how you feel about bringing a chicken to the vet as I personally find many don't want to do that, but I personally do as mine is pet and her health is my priority..) Does her abdomen feel squishy and bloat? She may need to get a different antibiotic asap. Wishing you the best of luck.

 

[hollilynn]

Thanks for your response! Yes I have a call in to my vet and will take her in if necessary. Thanks again, I hope she pulls through.

 

[Eggcessive]

You may want to get some stronger antibiotic from your vet since tetracycline will probably not help. Enrofloxacin and others by prescription only may help extend her life, but there is no cure for egg peritonitis. Speckledhen is a good authority on egg peritonitis/internal laying and some of her threads are good to read. Here are some links to read:
http://scoopfromthecoop.nutrenaworld.com/tag/laying-issues/
http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/egg-laying-issues/index.aspx
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/526089/egg-yolk-peritonitis

 

[hollilynn]

thanks for the links! this was very useful information. However, the common thread is to euthanize to prevent further suffering. My hen is just sleeping all day, but still eating and drinking and doesn't seem to be in any distress.
thanks for your help, it sounds pretty hopeless.

 

[chickenstar]

Its not hopless she can live just fine if you're willing to get an implant called deslorelin 4.7mg placed into her like a microchip every 4 to 6 months an avian vet can do this for you and as long as you treated her infection properly with strong antibiotics such as baytril or clavamox she can live just fine as the implant stops her from laying thus solving EYP

 

[hollilynn]

Have a vet appointment today for stronger antibiotics.
Thanks for your help!

 

[hollilynn]

Update: the vet checked her stool and said she did not have an infection. He told me it could be her kidneys or liver? In order to know for sure he would have to do bloodwork. I opted to take her home and continue the duramycin which he said to do. She is eating some, but not drinking much. Her last stool was mostly water. She is sleeping again, so just going to let her be for now with food and water.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Oh dear I am so sorry that your hen is ill. It sounds like you are doing all you can! I don't know what advice to offer.

 

[Eggcessive]

If she has been passing cooked egg-like material, I really think she is an internal layer. I don't mean to contradict your vet. They can go on to develop liver failure, and ascites or fluid in the belly. Most people with hens that have EYP or internal laying really want their hens to live out their lives as long as they can, and try to make them comfortable. If I had a hen like yours, I would only consider putting her down if she was in pain or uncomfortable. I hope she starts feeling better.